Humidifying apparatus



May 16, 1961 P. A. HERR HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May20, 1957 INVENTOR Sad 61 5PM V ATTORN En. 1S 4 May 16, 1961 P. A. HERRHUMIDIF'YING APPARATUS Filed May 20, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 511m61. Ewe/v0,

hm NM g m May 16, 1961 P. A. HERR HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed May 20, 1957 INVENTOR 1r 51.1% BY May 16, 1961 P. A. HERRHUMIDIFYING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 20, 1957 INVENTOR tesMy invention relates broadly to humidifying systems and moreparticularly to an improved construction of humidifying apparatus.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction ofimproved humidifier particularly adapted for plenum operation whicheliminates any possibility of water running down inside the plenum.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of plenumhumidifier having a driving motor which is fan cooled in the outside airout of contact with the humidified air of the plenum.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improvedconstruction of impeller for the centrifugal atomization of water in thehumidifier for disseminating particles of water very effectively intothe circulating air of a plenum.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction ofmultiple disc atomizing impeller for humidifiers by which water may bebroken down into particles and diffused into the circulating air of aplenum with high efficiency.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction ofhumidifier including a centrifugal pump adapted to pick up water fromthe bottom of the humdifier housing for transmission to an impellerwithout vortexing and thereby more effectively atomizing the water intothe circulatory path of the plenum.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction ofimproved humidifier including a driving motor operating an impellerdevice wherein a zone of air of substantially toroidal contour isprovided around the driving motor and the plenum sealed in spacedrelation to the driving motor whereby the motor operates in atmosphericair remote from the moisture in the plenum.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the improvedassembly of the humidifying device with respect to the driving motoroperating in atmospheric air as set forth more fully in thespecifications hereinafter following by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective View of the improved humidifier of my inventionlooking toward the front of the humidifier casing;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the humidifier of my invention lookingtoward the rear thereof, which connects with the plenum;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view-through the humidifierof my invention;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 ofFig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 ofFig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 ofFig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentaryend view of the water pump leading to theimpeller, the view being broken away and shown in section illustratingthe tube which leads to the eye of the impeller;

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the end of the water Fig. 9 is afragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view illustrating the manner of supporting thediifusing screen adjacent the periphery of the double disc impeller;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the central portionof the double disc impeller and showing the connection thereof to thewater pump;

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view on line 12-12 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view on line 13-13 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view on line 14-14 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the spacer member extending between thepump and the shaft of the driving motor for operating the impeller;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective View of the spacer member whichextends between the discs of the double disc impeller;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of part of the fan assembly connected withthe lower disc of the impeller;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary view showing in plan the flow control floatvalve for governing the flow of feed water to the humidifier; and

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on line 19-19 of Fig.18 with certain of the parts shown in elevation.

My invention is directed to an improved construction of humidifier inwhich the driving motor unit is fan cooled and operates independently ofthe moisture or temperature of the furnace in a warm air heating systemor air conditioning system. I provide a two section casing including abottom water reservoir section and a top air distribution section whichforms a toroidal zone for the humidified air spaced from a toroidal zoneof atmospheric air which surrounds the driving motor so that the drivingmotor operates in atmospheric air and is not subjected to the moistureof the humidified air of the plenum. The top air distribution section issealed with respect to the bottom water reservoir section so that thereis no leakage of air from the toroidal zone of air about the drivingmotor into the plenum. A double disc impeller is provided connected atthe eye thereof with a water pump depending into the Water in the bottomwater reservoir section, and operating to deliver the water to thedouble impeller without causing the water to vortex. On the dischargeside I provide a drier plate which eliminates any posibility of solidwater running down inside the plenum. The driving motor breathes onlythe outside air and not the humidified air of the plenum, therebyprotecting the motor windings and the parts of the motor against attackfrom moisture. The assembly of the components of the humidifier is suchthat parts may be readily replaced with minimum labor and expense. Thesections of the humidifier are broken down into unit assemblies whichenables individual parts to be replaced without the replacement ofcomplete subassemblies. The motor is efiectively cooled by a fan inoutside air supplemented by a shield which induces a flow of air overthe entire motor casing.

Referring to the drawings in more detail reference character 1designates the bottom water reservoir section to which the top airdistribution section 2 is adapted to be removably connected. The bottomwater reservoir section 1 has a transversely extending end wall 3 at oneend thereof defining with the curved side wall of the bottom waterreservoir section 1 the reservoir for water indicated at 4. There is awater intake for continuously filling the water reservoir 4 to apredetermined level as shown by the water intake connection 5 with whichthere is associated the float valve 6. The float valve 6 includes an arm7 connected to the float 6A and connected to the adjustable bracket 8which is adjustably fastened by means of wing nut 9 to determine theproper angle between bracket 8 and arm 7 for actuating the valvecontrolling the flow of feed Water from water intake 5 to the waterreservoir 4. The water intake 5 terminates in a block shaped header 11containing a water feed orifice in the top thereof, against which thevalve seal 10 is pressed by bracket 8 moving about pivot 13. As thewater level falls in reservoir 4 arm 7 tilts downwardly about pivot 13raising valve seal 1t from the top orifice in block 11 permitting entryof the feed water into reservoir 4 until the level of water thereinmoves float 6A upwardly for correspondingly moving arm 7 and thus movingadjustable bracket 8 to a position in which valve seal 10 again pressesagainst the top orifice in block 11 sealing the water intake againstfurther entry of water into reservoir 4 until it is necessary to restorethe level of water in reservoir 4. A water discharge pipe 12 connects toreservoir 4 so that water is discharged as required while maintainingthe level of the water in the reservoir.

The plenum end of the bottom water reservoir section 1 is shown at 16which is the intake from the plenum. A transverse frame 14 extendsacross the plenum end 16 to provide a guide for the replaceable filterscreen which is replaceable through a slot in the side wall of thebottom water reservoir section 1 beyond the end wall 3, as shown moreclearly at 1A in Fig. 4.

The top of the bottom water reservoir section 1 is closed by ahorizontally extending plate 17 conforming with the contour of the topof the bottom water reservoir section 1 and is provided with a centralaperture 17A through which the depending cylindrical housing 18 isadapted to be lowered. The depending cylindrical housing 18 has anupwardly projecting annular rim 19 terminating in an annular peripheraledge 20 which rests upon the top of the bottom wall reservoir section 1shown at 17, and serving to close the central aperture 17A therein. Thedepending cylindrical housing 18 has the bottom thereof shown at 21terminating in an annular intake opening 22 for the passage of air intothe top air distribution section 2, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. Thebottom of the depending cylindrical housing 18 shown at 21 serves as asupport for the feet of the tripod represented at 23, 24 and fastened at23A, 24A and 25A and supporting the cast bronze motor base 26. The motorbase 26 has a central recess 27 therein, for receiving the frame of themotor 28, which is fastened therein by screws 29. The motor base 28 isprovided with a multiplicity of concentrically arranged steps disposedon differing diameters indicated at 30. These steps accommodate andcoact with a bulbular trim seal of resilient material shown at 31,carried by the inner cylindrical wall 32 of the top air distributionsection 2.

The top air distribution section 2 is formed by an enclosing wallconforming in shape to the wall of the bottom water reservoir section 1and enclosing therein a substantially toroidal shaped path for thepassage of air to the plenum. The top of the top air distributionsection 2 is closed by a cover 33 conforming in shape with the side wallof the top air distribution section 2 and having a central dependingannular flange 34 which enters the top portion of the upwardly extendingcylindrical wall 32 thereby completing the toroidal shaped passage forair discharged from the open top of the depending cylindrical housing 18into the toroidal shaped passage which I have designated at 35, leadingto the plenum. A drier plate 36 is located adjacent the outlet of thetop air distribution section 2 indicated at 37 leading to the plenum.This drier plate 36 is arch shaped and is stamped from flat sheet andspot welded to the upper portion of the bonnet adjacent the dischargeend of the plenum. This drier plate has a large radius opening andabsolutely elimiriates any possibility of solid water running downinside the plenum. The plate is inclined inwardly toward the top of thebottom water reservoir section for directing any water downwardly forgravitation through apertures 38 and 39.

The driving motor 28 heretofore described, as mounted on the motor base26, drives on its upper end the rotary fan 40 in a position beneath ajacket 41 which forms a hood for the direction of cooling air over themotor 28. The jacket 41 is apertured at 42 for the entry of cooling airand is spaced from the outside wall of the casing of the motor 28 byradially extending fins 43 which direct the cooling air over the entireexterior of the motor 28. The air circulates in an annular zone aroundthe outside wall of jacket 41 and within the inside wall 32 of the topair distribution section 2 in the position I have represented by zone 44which is a toroidal path around the inside of wall 32, and around theoutside of jacket 41. Thus the motor is subjected to cooling inatmospheric air and is not subjected to the moisture incidental tohumidified air which has a tendency of attacking the motor windings andother component motor parts.

Atomization is accomplished by means of a lift pump of improvedconstruction and a pair of disc-like impellers driven by the shaft 45 ofmotor 28. A flanged sleeve is set on the end of motor shaft 45 asrepresented at 46. This sleeve 46 is longitudinally fluted asrepresented at 47, in Figs. 11-15, and also shown in Fig. 3 for thepassage of fluid to the space between impeller discs 48 and 49 so thatthe fluid is broken down into a thin film moving outwardly in the space50 between the discs 48 and 49 under the action of centrifugal force.The disc 48 carries a central spacing sleeve 51 thereon, shown moreclearly in Fig. 16, with V-shaped recesses 52 therein, aligned with theflutes 47 in sleeve 46 whereby the fluid is distributed from the flutes4-7 through the V-shaped recesses 52 whereby a thin film of fluid isdelivered to the space 50 between impeller discs 48 and 49. An annularflange 53 is welded or otherwise connected with the sleeve 46 forsecuring the assembly of discs 48 and 49 in spaced relation. Theassembly of discs is set in position by means of the set screw 54 whichpasses through an aligned aperture 55 in the pump cylinder 56 and entersa screw threaded recess in the sleeve 46 for effecting a grip withrespect to motor shaft 45. The impeller disc 49 also has a fan bladeimpeller 57 associated therewith in the assembly with fan blade 58,shown more particularly in Fig. 17, depending therefrom and operating asa stirrer or agitator for the air as it passes through the intakeopening 22 and around the inside of the depending cylindrical housing 18and into the toroidal path 35 in the top air distribution section 2 inthe course of the passage of the air to the plenum through the outlet37. The lower end of the pump cylinder 56 is provided with a fluidpickup consisting of a cap 59 having radially extending outwardlyprotruding composite buckets and fluid inlets 61, 62 and 63, shown moreclearly in Figs. 7-9 and in Fig. 3. These composite slits and bucketsscoop up the water into the pump cylinder 36 and the pressure headdeveloped by the centrifugal force of the fluid in the gap between discs48 and 49 forces the fluid into the eye of the impeller where it isdelivered in a thin film and forced in a centrifugally outward directionthrough the circular screen 64 and impacted against the interior of thewall of the depending cylindrical housing 18 while the flow of the airrushing through the intake opening 22 under the influence of fan blades58 picks up the fluid particles and commingles the particles with theair which is delivered in a humidifiedcondition to the toroidal zone 35and thereafter forced past drier plate 36 to the outlet 37 leading tothe plenum. The screen 64 is suspended in a cylindrical path from themotor base 26 by suspension hooks shown more clearly in Fig. 10 at 65.The hook 65 in each instance embraces the tops of the tripod feet 23, 24and 25, as shown more clearly in Fig. 10. The hooks 65 are U-shaped andhave their depending ends turned upwardly, as represented at 66 in Fig.10, to suspend the circular screen 64 therein.

'For the most effective operation I have found that the discs 48 and 49should have a radially disposed outwardly extending angular inclinationof 5 from a flat plane. The fan 57 is also provided with the sameoutwardly extending inclination which I have found effective in coactionwith the arrangement of the atomizing disc assembly.

Electrical connection is established to driving motor 28 throughflexible lead 67 shown in Fig. 3 anchored to the casing of motor 28 asshown at 68 and extending to a convenient electrical receptacle througha sealed grommet in the side wall of the top air distribution section 2.The motor base 26 is provided with appropriate radially extendingrecesses for the fitting of an oil cup to enable the motor to belubricated from time to time. The jacket 41 is also provided with asuitable opening for an oil feed cup leading to the upper end of themotor shaft for permitting lubrication from time to time. Both of theseopenings are appropriately covered by a pneumatic sealer The structureof my invention has been developed from the point of view of ease bfservicing and replacement of parts for maintenance, and from theviewpoint of efiiciency in operation where the driving motor ispreserved against adverse influences of moisture and humidificd air. Ihave found the structure of my invention as set forth herein highlypractical and satisfactory in operation and while I have described myinvention in certain of its preferred embodiments I realize thatmodifications may be made and I desire that it be understood that nolimitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed bythe scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is as follows:

1. A humidifying apparatus comprising a bottom water reservoir sectionhaving side opening air inlet means to permit the passage of air overthe water in the water reservoir section, a top air distribution sectionmounted upon the bottom water reservoir section in superposed relationthereto and having a top wall and a side wall, said side wall having airoutlet opening means, a depressed housing suspended within the upperportion of the bottom water reservoir section and spaced above the watertherein and having a bottom wall provided with a central opening for theupward passage of air in the bottom water reservoir section, a motorsupport plate of lesser diameter than said depressed housing fixedlymounted within the depressed housing near the top of the latter andconcentric therewith, a motor mounted upon the support plate andextending thereabove and disposed bodily within said top airdistribution section, an inverted cup-like bafile covering the top ofsaid motor and surrounding the side Wall of the motor and spacedtherefrom and having its lower end open and spaced above said motormounting plate, the top wall of said bafile having atmospheric air inletopenings, an interior wall for said top air distribution sectiondependingly secured to the top wall thereof in spaced surroundingrelation to said bafile and having its lower end in sealing engagementwith the motor mounting plate and defining with the side wall of the topair distribution section a first substantially annular air passage anddefining with the side wall of said baflle a second substantiallyannular air passage, said second air passage being open at its top andcommunicating with the atmosphere, a water lift pump dependingly securedto the armature shaft of said motor and projecting into the water insaid bottom water reservoir section and extending through said openingof the depressed housing and adapted to convey water upwardly, and animpeller carried by said pump within said depressed housing forcentrifugally atomizing water therein and projecting the atomized waterradially outwardly of the impeller within the depressed housing formixture with air passing upwardly therethrough, said impeller comprisinga pair of closely spaced superposed slightly downwardly conicallytapering discs of substantial diameter but considerably smaller indiameter than the side wall of the depressed housing, air impeller meansdependingly secured to the lowermost disc of said pair for drawing airthrough said depressed housing, and air circulating fan means carried bythe top of said motor within said inverted cup-like battle.

2. A humidifying apparatus comprising a bottom water reservoir sectionhaving air inlet opening means, a top air distribution section mountedupon said water reservoir section and having substantially the samehorizontal cross sectional configuration as the water reservoir section,said top air distribution section having outer and inner concentricallyarranged separated air passages, said inner air passage communicatingwith the atmosphere at the top of said top air distribution section, adepressed housing of lesser diameter than said bottom water reservoirsection dependingly secured therein and being open at its top and incommunication with said outer air passage of the top air distributionsection and having a bottom wall provided with a central openingcommunicating with the interior of the bottom water reservoir section,said outer air passage of the top air distribution section having an airoutlet, a motor mounting plate secured within the top portion of saiddepressed housing and being smaller in diameter than said housing andforming a closure for the bottom of said inner air passage of the topair distribution section, a motor mounted upon said mounting plate anddisposed bodily within said inner air passage of the top airdistribution section, an inverted cup-like baffle secured to said motorand extending about the top and sides thereof in spaced relation theretoand having air inlet opening means in its top wall and being open at itsbottom near and above said mounting plate, a water lifting pumpdependingly secured to the armature shaft of said motor and extendingthrough said central opening in the bottom wall of the depressed housingand projecting into the water in said bottom water reservoir section,and a combined water atomizing and air impeller secured to said pumpwithin the depressed housing for rotation with the pump and saidarmature shaft and spaced below said mounting plate and adapted to impelatomized water and air radially outwardly within the depressed housingso that the air and atomized water may commingle therein before passingupwardly to the outer air passage of the top air distribution section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,022,415 Feldermann Nov. 26, 1935 2,030,454 Kresser Feb. 11, 19362,047,025 Gilbert July 7, 1936 2,114,780 Juelson Apr. 19, 1938 2,189,021Schury Feb. 6, 1940 2,591,057 Feldermann Apr. 1, 1952 2,607,571 HessionAug. 19, 1952 2,766,027 Herr Oct. 9, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 317,049Switzerland Dec. 29, 1956 445,889 Great Britain Apr. 20, 1936 483,876Great Britain Apr. 27, 1938 501,002 Italy Nov. 22, 1954

